Russia-Turkey Diplomatic Row Continues Over Downed Russian Plane

The diplomatic dispute continued on November 30 between Russia and Turkey over the downing of a Russian warplane by a Turkish fighter jet, with both sides entrenched in their positions.

A Kremlin spokesman said Russian President Vladimir Putin would not meet with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Paris climate summit on November 30 because Turkey refuses to apologize.

In Brussels, Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said no country can demand an apology for exercising its right and duty to defend its own airspace.

Ankara insists the Russian plane flew into Turkish airspace on November 24 and ignored repeated warnings before it was shot down.

Davutoglu said Ankara wants Russia to reconsider economic sanctions imposed on November 28 by Putin.

Moscow announced its sanctions include a ban on most imports of agricultural products from Turkey.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Turkey’s NATO allies are concerned about an increased Russian military presence in the region.

Stoltenberg said NATO’s focus is on calming the situation.

Russian media report that Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama were meeting privately on the sidelines of the summit early in the afternoon on November 30.